Gladys Kemboi

Knowledge Management (KM) and Communities of Practice leader with 10+ years of experience in global, regional, national, and local levels in providing strategic vision, developing and implementing KM strategies, building and sustaining Communities of Practice, and performing oversight of KM projects to meet evolving needs in Local and International Development.

Today, I write the Knowledge Vision Statement in honour of my Grandmother Kimoi Cheruiyot, who passed away in April 2024. Her wisdom and love for local and Indigenous knowledge resonate deeply with me, as I fondly recall my childhood memories to the forests of the Great Rift Valley in Kerio Valley,
where she taught me about Indigenous and Traditional knowledge on herbal medicine for infants.

At the UN Summit of the Future, we must champion a new Knowledge Agenda that mobilizes resources and allocates funding to support the knowledge capture, documentation, access, digital preservation, and sustainability of Indigenous Knowledge. This includes community archives, museums, libraries, and cultural heritage in rural villages, ensuring that these invaluable sources of wisdom are not lost.

We envision creating a safe knowledge space where all people feel respected without labels, judgment, colour shades, stereotypes, or geographical underrepresentation. This inclusive environment is essential for sharing knowledge to achieve sustainable development.

Our commitment is to strengthen knowledge partnerships at both local and global levels, supporting Indigenous knowledge holders, elders, community champions, youth, and mother(s) of Indigenous knowledge. These collaborations will foster the exchange of wisdom and practices that are crucial for our collective progress.

Furthermore, we advocate for the decolonization of knowledge, ensuring that everyone’s contributions are valued. By rewarding the right knowledge holders, we truly embody the principles of the United Nations and advance towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Knowledge Partnerships, Resource Mobilization, Safe Knowledge Space, Decolonization of Knowledge, Community Archives, Museums, Libraries, SDGs